Ink-well.



PATENTED APR. 24

F. M. ASHLEY.

INK WELL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12. 1903.

Fig. 2

IN VENTOR fi/ww 21% W/ TN E SSE S ATTORNEY which cannot be UNITED STAIEbL r rENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Application filed March-12, 1963. Serial No. 147,370-- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK M. ASHLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink-Wells, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactspecification.-

My invention relates to ink-wells, and has for its object the construction of a well of extreme simplicity, and therefore requiring but few parts, and one which may be easily filled, operated, and cleaned.

A further object is to rovide a well of the dip-funnel type Which s all be of large capacity and capable of raising the ink to the dip-cup with the same facility when the ink is nearly exhausted as when the "well is en-.

tirely filled.

Still further, I ropose to provide a Well filled s ofull that a depression of the dip-funnel will. cause the ink to overflow from the well 'andone which, therefore, does not require the overflow-chamber heretofore customarily provided.

As far as I am aware, it has heretofore been deemed necessary in ink-wells of the type to which my invention generally appertains to make the plunger or float of such close fit within the auxiliary reservoir that shortly after the beginning of the plunger or float descent communication between the main and auxiliary reservoirs would become and continue absolutely interrupted, resulting in trapping a considerable bod of ink beneath the plunger or float and in t 1e event of a too rapid depression of the latter cause more than a necessary amount of ink to be forced up, and thereby occasion objectionable spurtin and overflow of the ink from the dip-funnel. A further objection to "the prior arrangement adverted to is due to the fact that communication between the main and auxiliary reservoirs is not reestablished until the lunger or float is practically at the limit of its upward movement within said auxiliary reservoir. Consequently when the communication referred to occurs the ink in flowing from the main to the'auxiliary reservoir is accompanied by a gulping or bubbling effect, which is highly objectionable. By my improvements I avoid the difficulties and objections noted and attain highly important results, as hereinafter fully appears.

Primarily my invention 'comprehends w an ink-well the body of WlllChiCOIltfiilIlS a main and an auxiliary reservoir intercommunicat- 1ng for the flow ofink in opposite dlrectlons from one to the other and an ink-raising plunger or float adapted to have its lower end move up and down within and substantially throughout the entire height of said auxiliary reservoir without interruption in the ink communication between the main supported by its own buoyancy that its lower.

end will be normally within'and can further descend in the auxiliary reservoir to operate in the manner above set forth. The funcreservoir and the lower portion of the auxtions and advantages of the ink-well construction thus generally referred toare clearly disclosed in the subsequent detailed descri tion.

I W1 1 describe the invention more particularly with reference to the forms thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in

' which Figure 1 is a sectional view of a well constructed 111 accordance with my lnvention.

'Fig. 2 is a planview of half of the top of Fig.

1 and Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate modifications of the well. p

Referring more ings, 1 represents t e body of the well, contaming the main and auxiliary reservoirs 2 and 3, respectively. The body may comprise a single piece of glass or other material ormed into proper shape or may comprise two or more parts, as illustrated in Fig. 4, for example. When constructed as shown in Fig. 4, the body will be provided with a bottom 4, fitting into the same and held in-close engagement therewith by awasher 5. The. matter of constructing the body of one or more parts is not, however, a material feature of my invention. An opening 6 is formed in the top or cover of the body, and immediatel under this opening the reservoir-2 is forme the latter being of substantially; the same shape in cross-section as the shape of th openin 6. p

The depth of the reservoir 2 is substantially the same as the distance from the up; "er end of the reservoir 2 tothe top or cover .1n which the opening 6 is formed in order that no matter how full the well'is filled witn the ink 9 the depth of the latter from its" surface articularly to the drawthe openingshould be sufficient to permit free ingress of airfromthe outside atmoshere to the surface of the ink,and the space etween the float and'the sides of the resere voir 2-should be sufficient to-at all times permit free and open communication 'loythe ink between the reservoir 3 and reservoir 2. The float preferably comprises a closed body of any suitable construction or type having-the central passage 7 and the dip-cup 8. Its weight shouldbe so proportioned t at when the well is filled to its iullestcapaeity the fioat will sink substantially low enough to bring its lower end partly into the'reservoir 2. The float will then be relatively higher than the position shown in the drawings, and as the ink is exhausted the float will gradually sink lower and lower.

In operation the well is filled by withdraw;-

ing the float and p'ourin theink through the opening 6 to the desire height or by raising t e float'until its lower end clears the sides of the reservoir 2 and pourin the ink in through the heat The float is t en released, I

and its ownhuoyancy causes it ,to be supported in its proper position. 'When the pen is placed in the ip-cup and the float is depressed, the ink in the reservoir, 2 will "be orced up through the passage 7 into-the dipcup. 0 viously the mk may be forced up into the dip-cup almost as long as any ink remains in reservoir 2 By reason of the open communication between the two reservoirs the ink is gradually and continuously let into the auxiliarv reservoir 2, thus doing away with the objectionable gulping or bubbling heretoforev corn-f men in wells of this general class, and, furthermore, by reason of the fact-that any abnormal or sudden pressure upon the float has a--tendency to force the ink back from the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir instead of positively trapping it such pressure will not cause the well to spout; but, on the contrary, the ink will-rise evenly and naturally to the dip-cup. 4

The capacity of the well may of course be increased or diminished without altering the proportions of the float or depth of the reservoirs by making the body and reservoir 3 Wider or narrower, as the case may be.

In Fig. 3 the body is formed with the sides ofits top or cover extendin above the top ofthe float in order that if a 00k or other object be dropped upon the well it'cannot strike the float and cause the ink to rise. It will be observed that when ink is poured into this well it cannot rise beyond the lower edge of the opening 6, because the air would then become trapped in the upper cistern and prevent iurther rise of the ink.

It will: be readily appreciated that the float in its descending movements performs with in the auxiliary reservoir the functions of a plun eractin upon ink in andupwardlyiorc- 'mg t e same rom said reservoir.

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

'1. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir intercommunicating for the flow of ink in'opposite directions from one to the other, an a plunger of suiliciently le'ssdiamet'er than the auxiliary reservoir tohave its lower end move up and down within and substantially throughout the height of'said auxiliary reservoirvwithout interruption in the ink communication between the main reservoir and the lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir, the downward pressure exerted by the lower endof the plunger, on ink wit ii the auxiliary reservoir serving to upwa dly force said ink, said main reservoir having a passa e for air leading to the atmosphere during t 1e movement of the plunger. 2. In an ink-well, the combination oi'a 'body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir intercommunicatingior the flow of ink in opposite directions from one to the other, and a plun erof sufiiciently less diameter than that 0 said auxiliary reservoir to have its lower end move up and down within and substantially throughout the height of saidauxiliary reservoir without interruption in the ink communication between the main reservoir and the lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir, the downward pressure exerted b the lower end of the plunger on the ink wit u the auxiliary reservoir serving to upwardly force said ink, said main reservoir having a passa for air leading to theatmosphere during t e movement of the plunger. 3. In an ink-well, the combination of a -body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir intercommunicating for the flow of ink in opposite directions from one to the other, and a plun er of sufficiently less diameter than that 0 said auxiliary reservoir to have its lower end: move up and down within said auxiliary reservoir to any degree withoutinterruption in the ink communication betweenv the main reservoir andfthe auxiliary reservoir, the downward pressure exerted by the lower end of the plunger on the ink within the auxiliary reservoir serving to upwardly force said ink; the-sides of the Well-body extending above the highest plane attained by the top of the plunger when the latter is in in the ink communication between the main scend within said reservoir without interink-raising float adapted to have its lower durin the movement of the plunger.

"body containing a main. and. an auxiliary position and said main reservoir having a passage for alr lead ng to the atmosphere 4. 11 an ink-well, the combination of a bodycontaining a main and an auxiliary reservoir intercommunicati'ng for the flow of ink in opposite directions from one to the other, and an ink-raising float of sufficiently less diameter than that of the auxiliary reservoir to have its lower end move up and down within and substantially throughout the height of said auxiliary reservoir without interruption reservoir and the lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir, said main reservoir being open to the atmosphere during the movement of 5. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir communicating with each other, and an ink raising float of less diameter than'th-at of the auxiliary reservoir adapted to be sosupported by its own buoyancy that its lower end will be normally within saidauxiliary reservoir and be permitted under a depressing' action exerted on the float, to further derupting at any time the communication between said main and auxiliary reservoirs, said main reservoir being open to the atmosphere during the movement of the float.

6. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main. and an auxiliary reservoir of substantially the same. depth and communicating with each other, and an ink raising float of sufiiciently less diameter than that of said auxiliary reservoir and adapted its lower end will be normally Within said auxiliary reservoir and be permitted under a depressing action exerted on the float, to further descend within said reservoir without interrupting' at any time, the communication between said main and auxiliary reservoirs.

7. In} an ink-well, the combination of a reservoir intercomniunicating for the flow'of ink in opposite directions from one to the other, the auxiliary reservoir being a prolongation of the main reservoir, a cover for said body having an opening, and a depressible end move up and down within and substantially throughout the height of said auxiliary reservoir, said float being of less diameter than saidauxiliary reservoir whereby an intervening ink-circulation space will be formed to maintain constant communication between said reservoirs irrespective of any movement of the float within the auxiliary reservoir, said main reservoir being open to ghe atmosphere during the movement of the oat.-

8. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir, the latter being a prolongation of the former, a cover for said body, having an opening, and a depressibleink-raising float adapted to be so supported by its own buoyancy thatits lower end will be normally Within said auxiliary reservoir, said float being of less diameter than said auxiliary reservoir,

whereby an mtervenmg nk-circulation space will be formed to maintain constant communication between said reservoirs, irrespective of any movement of the float within the aux ihary reservoir, said mam reservoir having a passage to the atmosphere during the movement of the float.

9. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir in open communication with each other, a cover for said body having an opening in a horizontal plane of the same diam} eter as the auxiliary reservoir, and a depressibleink-raising float having parallel sides and adapted to be so supported by its own buoyancy that its lower end will benormally within said auxiliary reservoir, said float adapted toextendthrough the top opening and main reservoir, and having that portion movable within the auxiliary reservoir, of less diameter than the latter whereby a constant com munication is maintained between both reservoirs, irrespective of any movement of the float.

10. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir, and an ink-raising float adapted to have an upper part extend external to the body and the lower end of said float'move up and down withinand substantially throughout the height of said auxiliary reservoir without interruption in the ink communication between the main reservoir and the lower portion ofrthe auxiliary reservoir by reason of the floatbeing of considerably less diameter than that of said auxiliary reservoir, the

- sides of-the well-body extending above the highest plane attained by'the top of the float when the latter is in position.

11. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir in open communication with each other, and an ink-raising float of sufliciently less di-' ameter than said auxiliary reservoir and adapted to be so supported by its own buoyancy that its lower end will be normally within said auxiliary reservoir and'be permitted under a depressing action exerted on the float.

to further descend within said reservoir without interrupting at any time the communication between said main and auxiliary reservoirs, the sides of said well-body extending above the hi hest' plane attained by the top of the float w en the latter is in position;

, 12. An ink-well resenting in two parts, a

body and an ink-raising float, said body contaimng a main and an auxiliary reservoir in;

tercommunicating for the flow of ink in oppos site directions from one to the other, said float being of sufficiently less diameter than said auxiliary reservoir to have its lower end. move up and down within and substantially throughout the height of said auxiliary reservoir Without interruption in the inkcOmmunication between the main reservoir and. the

lower portion of the auxiliary reservoir.

13. A. two-part ink-well comprising a bod having a main and auxiliary reservoir, at all times in open communication with. each other, and a cover with. an opening immediately above the auxiliary reservoir, said auxiliary reservoir and said opening being of'substantially the same diameter, and a depr'essible float adapted to be buoyed by the ink and having parallel sides, said float being of nearly the same diameter as said opening and said auxiliary reservoir and extending through said opening and said main reservo1r down into the auxiliary reservoir; substantially as described.

14. In an inkstand of the character-described, a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir formed in the base thereof, a plunger having an ink-passa e therethrough, the outer surface of said punger being exposed to the main reservoir and the lower end of said plunger extending within'said auxiliary reservoir, said auxiliary reservoir. having a passage freely communicating at all times with said. mam reservoir, said main reservoirv having a passage communicating with the atmosphere during the movement of said p'lun-. ger.

15. In an ink-well, the combination of a body containing a main and an auxiliary reservoir, a plunger adapted to have its lower end move up and. down within said auxiliary reservoir and of sufliciently-reduced diame ter compared to that of the auxiliary to form a passage between the outer wall of said plun-' ger and the inner wall of said." auxiliary reser-- voir, said passage being open at all times,

in the bottom of the ink-well, afloat adapted to play vertically in saidauxiliary reservoir and having its lower end of considerably-reduced diameter relative to that of the auxiliary reservoir so'that a passage is formed between the outer Wall of said float and the inner wall of said reservoir which passage is open at all times, and meansfor conducting ink to the upper end of said float.

17. In an, inkstand. of the character described, a main reservoir, an auxiliary reservoir formed in the bottom thereof, a plunger of suflicient diameter to raise the ink to the top thereof when depressed, the outer surface of which is ex osed to the main reservoir and the lower en of which extends within said auxiliary reservoir, said plunger being of sufficiently reduced diameter relative to the diameter of said auxiliary reservoir to forma passage for ink communicating atall times between the lower end of the auxiliary reservoir and the main reservoir.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

in presence of two witnesses. p FRANK M. ASHLEY. Witnesses:

HENRY -BEST, JULIAN S. Woosrna. 

